Potter tackles Albion’s striker plan for the window and those Lamptey rumours
The departures of Jurgen Locadia and Aaron Connolly in the early stages of this transfer window has Albion looking short of options in attacking areas.
Locadia, who joined the club in 2018 for a then record deal of £14m, struggled to find his best form at Albion and earlier this week sealed a permanent move to Bundesliga outfit Bochum.
Connolly also found regular game time in the Premier League hard to come by and the Ireland international moved to Championship outfit Middlesbrough for the remainder of the season.
It leaves Brighton with
Neal Maupay and Danny Welbeck as the two recognised strikers in Graham Potter’ s squad, with 17-year-old Evan Ferguson - who is yet to play in the Premier League - as the chief support.
Leo Trossard and Alexis Mac Allister have chipped in with goals from midfield but many fans are keen for Brighton to sign a striker and offer support to leading scorer Maupay and Welbeck, who is just returning from hamstring surgery.
But asked if more cover was required at the sharp end, Potter replied: “Not necessarily.
“Danny Welbeck coming back is really important for us. Evan Ferguson has stepped up from the under23s and has been training with us for the last few weeks, so he plays a role in the first team group.
“There’s always a chance when the window is open, but as it stands I am happy with what we have got.”
Brighton have added young Polish international midfielder Kacper Kozłowski to their ranks so far this January but the £8m arrival will spend the remainder of the season on loan at Belgian outfit USG.
Potter added: “January is difficult for that type of signing generally anyway. I’ve always had a good idea of how we want to work in the window, we work ahead, it’s not like we are caught by surprise.
“We have a strategy of what we want to do as a club and we will follow that. In the window you’ve always got to be on your toes and be aware of what is out there. We will do our best with it.
“Iamreallyhappywiththe group we have got and it can get better. I don’t think we’ve reached the maximum potential as a group and I am looking forward to seeing how that develops.
“Then we will see if anything comes from the outside which we have to factor in, we’re open to that. We’re not a selling club, but you never know in this world.”
When asked what a good January transfer window would look like, Potter said: “A couple more wins in the Premier League! If we can get through in the FA Cup and a few wins then I will be happy with that.”
Meanwhile, Albion’s Mali international Yves Bissouma - who has 18 months remaining on his contract - continues to attract attention.
Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa are the latest club to show an interest for the Albion midfielder who is now representing his country at the Africa Cup of Nations.
“I’d expect all our players to be with us,” said Potter.
“There’s a lot of speculation out there, there’s nothing to report. The fact that there’s speculation out there means we’re doing something well.
“As a team and a club, which we are, we’re ok with that speculation.”
Lamptey latest
Graham Potter admitted he wasn’t surprised by the reports linking Tariq Lamptey with big money moves to Tottenham, Arsenal and Manchester United.
Lamptey, 21, has been in good form for Albion this season since coming back from hamstring surgery and his performances have caught the eye of the Premier League elite.
The former Chelsea man has quickly returned to his best form and helped Albion to a lofty ninth in the Premier League standings.
Lamptey joined Albion in January 2020 for just £3m from Chelsea as the England youth international went in search of regular first team football.
Danny Welbeck coming back isreally important for us
His path at Chelsea was blocked by the excellent Reece James and his brave decision to leave Stamford Bridge proved the right one as his career has flourished under the guidance of Albion head coach Graham Potter.
Arsenal remain keen on the flying wing-back, while Man United continue to monitor the situation as they seek more attacking options down their right flank.
But Tottenham have also entered the race and are looking to freshen up their squad and kick-start the Antonio Conte era.
Brighton, however, are under no pressure to sell but an offer similar to the £50m they received when Ben White joined Arsenal last year could tempt the Seagulls to part with a player who has played just 31 Premier League matches - scoring once with five assists.
Potter, never one too keen to address transfer talk during the window, responded to the Lamptey reports at his press conference ahead of their FA Cup third round match at West Brom this Saturday.
“I would expect all our players to be with us,” said Potter when asked if Lamptey would still be an Albion player come the end of the window.
“A lot of speculation out there but nothing to report. The fact there is speculation out there means you are doing something quite well.
“As a team and as a club we are okay with that. It is what it is.”
Asked if any bids have been received so far, Potter simply replied: “Nope!”
In terms of potential arrivals the Albion head coach added: “I’m happy with the squad we have and I think we can still get better as a group.
“We have not reached the maximum in terms of how we are performing.
“I’m excited to see that develop.
“You never know what the window brings in terms of what comes in from the outside but we are open to that.”